Overview
- Ware played only 3:11 Saturday and has logged 22 minutes over his last three games since returning from a hamstring issue.
- Spoelstra went small with Bam Adebayo and Nikola Jovic at center and called the decision a matchup and pace choice, not an indictment of the 21-year-old.
- Lineup data show Miami performs worse with Ware on the floor, and pairings with Adebayo have graded out as significant net negatives this season.
- Ware is widely discussed as a key young asset in Miami’s reported pursuit of Giannis Antetokounmpo before the Feb. 5 deadline, though one executive questioned whether Milwaukee would be convinced given his usage.
- Despite the squeeze in minutes, Ware is averaging about 11.3 points and 9.3 rebounds on 53.9% shooting and 41.9% from three, and he said he will focus on controlling what he can despite the trade chatter.